Between which days after burn injury does the acute phase peak?

Between which days after burn injury does the acute phase peak?

• A. 1st–5th day
• B. 6th–10th day
• C. 11th–15th day
• D. 16th–20th day

Answer: (B)

The question targets when the body's catabolic, hypermetabolic response to a burn most strongly peaks. After the initial injury, there’s a brief ebb phase, then the body shifts into the flow (acute) phase where inflammatory mediators and stress hormones drive a heightened metabolic state—protein breakdown, gluconeogenesis, and increased energy needs. This surge typically reaches its maximum in the first week of injury, commonly around days 6 to 10, as tissue repair and immune efforts are at their height. By days beyond this window, the acute metabolic peak begins to recede as healing progresses and nutritional support helps modulate the response.

The question targets when the body's catabolic, hypermetabolic response to a burn most strongly peaks. After the initial injury, there’s a brief ebb phase, then the body shifts into the flow (acute) phase where inflammatory mediators and stress hormones drive a heightened metabolic state—protein breakdown, gluconeogenesis, and increased energy needs. This surge typically reaches its maximum in the first week of injury, commonly around days 6 to 10, as tissue repair and immune efforts are at their height. By days beyond this window, the acute metabolic peak begins to recede as healing progresses and nutritional support helps modulate the response.